On March 10, 2010 seven team members were murdered in the Oghi office, in the KPK province. This single event has informed the practice of the organisation in a number of ways, not just here in Pakistan, but internationally.
Following the 'Oghi Incident' the provincial team and all the programs were relocated: the office to Abbottabad (you might recognise that as the city where Osama bin Laden was found a year later) and the programmes to the Nathiagali area. Some of the Oghi team came with us and still work to change the lives of their people.
On Wednesday night many of the Pakistan team met together at a Hotel in Islamabad. In the banquet hall decorated in the fashion of a wedding reception with hanging flower arrangements, fairy lights, chairs clothed in pink and a live band, we are here to recognise and celebrate colleagues that have worked for 5 years, each receiving a pin, a certificate and the applause of their friends. Added to the event this year was the "Oghi Humanitarian Award" - an award struck to recognise the sacrificial service of 5 members of the team, and to celebrate and remember the sacrifice of the seven that died in service.
Following the award part of the evening, the serious business began: Pakistani karaoke and the dancing began. Mainly men, but a couple of brave women, entertained the team singing local favourites and on one occasions a previously banned anthem - and then at around 10:00pm the food arrived.
It was a good night and a chance for the leadership to honour the daily sacrifices that their team make to work in some tough contexts.
Following the 'Oghi Incident' the provincial team and all the programs were relocated: the office to Abbottabad (you might recognise that as the city where Osama bin Laden was found a year later) and the programmes to the Nathiagali area. Some of the Oghi team came with us and still work to change the lives of their people.
On Wednesday night many of the Pakistan team met together at a Hotel in Islamabad. In the banquet hall decorated in the fashion of a wedding reception with hanging flower arrangements, fairy lights, chairs clothed in pink and a live band, we are here to recognise and celebrate colleagues that have worked for 5 years, each receiving a pin, a certificate and the applause of their friends. Added to the event this year was the "Oghi Humanitarian Award" - an award struck to recognise the sacrificial service of 5 members of the team, and to celebrate and remember the sacrifice of the seven that died in service.
Following the award part of the evening, the serious business began: Pakistani karaoke and the dancing began. Mainly men, but a couple of brave women, entertained the team singing local favourites and on one occasions a previously banned anthem - and then at around 10:00pm the food arrived.
It was a good night and a chance for the leadership to honour the daily sacrifices that their team make to work in some tough contexts.
